Rail

DART takes delivery of first streetcar for new service

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART took delivery this week of its first modern streetcar for use on its new streetcar service, which will debut April 13.

The new Dallas Streetcar service is a 1.6-mile dedicated streetcar track that provides access for commuters in Oak Cliff to rail connections at Union Station in downtown Dallas.

The vehicle, which was a designed and built by Brookville Equipment Corp., will be the first streetcar in the U.S. that utilizes wireless traction power. This means the vehicle will be powered by overhead lines on surface streets, but operate with an on-board stored energy system when it crosses the historic, 101-year-old Houston Street Viaduct. Cost of the vehicle totals $4.5 million, with an additional vehicle coming soon, according to DART officials.

"The streetcar helps accelerate already strong community and neighborhood revitalization taking place in downtown Dallas and the North Oak Cliff section of the city, just south of downtown. Like light rail, it represents a long-term investment in local infrastructure and mobility. It strengthens economic development as it makes it easier for folks to get to and from these areas where they can live and work," according to DART officials.

This project is a partnership between DART, the City of Dallas, the Federal Transportation Administration and the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

Other than testing and training along the new corridor, the vehicle will make its next appearance on April 9 as part of DART's participation in APTA's Stand Up 4 Transportation day of national transportation infrastructure advocacy.